Dr. Rasha Kelej Named Among 100 Most Influential African Women for 7th Year
Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” Campaign, has been named among the 100 Most Influential African Women 2025 by Avance Media, marking the seventh consecutive year she receives this prestigious recognition.
She joins Africa’s highest-ranking leaders, including H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, and H.E. Ndumepelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia.
This annual recognition celebrates African women whose leadership, influence, and accomplishments shape decision-making at the highest levels both locally and internationally.
Commenting on the honor, Dr. Kelej said, “I am deeply honored to be recognized among Africa’s esteemed leaders and inspiring change-makers. This recognition motivates us at Merck Foundation to continue building a lasting legacy of impact across Africa for generations to come.”
Under Dr. Kelej’s leadership, the Merck Foundation has launched high-impact programs including the Scholarship Program for Healthcare Providers, transforming patient care and increasing access to quality healthcare across Africa.
The “More Than a Mother” movement, launched in 2015, focuses on reproductive health, infertility awareness, and empowering women. The “Educating Linda” Program supports education for underprivileged girls across 19 African countries.
Over the past 11 years, Dr. Kelej has collaborated with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies, ministries, academia, and local communities to strengthen healthcare systems and support women and girls.
Merck Foundation has provided over 2,500 scholarships in 44 critical medical specialties, including oncology, fertility care, diabetology, respiratory medicine, and intensive care, to young healthcare providers from 52 countries. Nearly 1,200 scholarships have gone to female healthcare professionals, empowering women in STEM and healthcare leadership.
Many alumni have become the first-ever specialists in their countries, highlighting the transformative impact of Dr. Kelej’s initiatives on healthcare systems across Africa.
Dr. Kelej leverages media, fashion, and art to raise awareness on social and health issues, including infertility stigma, child marriage, FGM, gender-based violence, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
She produces and hosts “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, a pan-African TV program, and has launched over 30 awareness songs, 9 children’s storybooks, 6 animated films, and trained more than 4,000 journalists across 45 countries.
Her work also includes establishing annual awards recognizing excellence in media, fashion, film, and music for social and health impact, demonstrating the power of creative advocacy in driving societal change.
Dr. Rasha Kelej’s visionary leadership continues to empower women, transform healthcare, and inspire change across Africa, leaving a lasting legacy of impact and innovation.
